Working a regular nine-to-five job was an impossible dream for Jack seven years ago, when he was bedridden and unable to walk following his diagnosis with mitochondrial myopathy.
Life has been quite difficult because of the illness. I have missed a lot of time from school which hasn’t been good for my education and grades.
I have been quite lucky in that I have been able to regain some of my manoeuvrability after some very hard work.
This is a large psychological battle in which I’ve had to give myself a reason to reach my next goal.
I have been able to find that drive to push on as I want to build a life for myself and progress toward some my goals. I also want to set even higher goals for myself, to keep myself motivated.”
It’s been a very challenging journey for Jack, but he’s now studying chemistry and physics and hoping to go into medicine.
“What I really want to do is become a doctor specialising in helping people with muscular dystrophy.”
Moving Up is our work experience programme for 16– to 30-year-old disabled people in London. Working with 15 young jobseekers a year, our Trailblazers team offers supportive work experience placements to help reduce unemployment and narrow the employment gap for young disabled Londoners. There’s also potentially the opportunity to take advantage of our links with external organisations for further placements.
To find out more, please contact movingup@musculardystrophyuk.org.
For more information: Moving Up